Office of Women's Health - Background Information

Activities of the office include coordination of the research analyses of data from the California Women's Health Survey and publishing the Data Points fact sheets series.  The office publishes several publications, including a Directory of Health Programs Serving Women in both the Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Public Health and the California Women's Health Report 2007.  In addition, the office participates in outreach activities such as tabling at events throughout the state and staffs the prestigious Women's Health Council, an advisory council appointed by the Directors that advises both departments on women's health issues.  Follow this link for additional Women's Health Council information.

Mission

The mission of the office is to guide women's health policy in an effective and comprehensive fashion to promote health and reduce the burden of preventable disease and injury among the women and girls of California.

The Office of Women's Health was established within the Director's Office of the California Department of Health Services in 1993 by Governor's Executive Order W-57-93.  In 1994, the office was permanently established in statute, Chapter 760, 1994 (Health & Safety Code section 135-138.5).  Subsequent legislation places the Office of Women's Health in two departments, the Department of Health Care Services and the California Department of Public Health